AugustaWestland to establish AW189 production line in Russia

AgustaWestland AW189

AugustaWestland parent Finmeccanica has entered into a trilateral agreement with Rosneft and Rostec Corporation that will see the Italian helicopter manufacturer establish an AW189 production line in Russia.

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The agreement was signed on December 29 by the Head of Rosneft Igor Sechin, Rostec Corporation CEO Sergey Chemezov and the Head of Finmecanica group Mauro Moretti.

Under the agreement a joint venture will be created between Russian helicopters holdings and AugustaWestland, with production of the AW189 to begin at the HeliVert manufacturing facilities just to the south west of Moscow.

“The production of AW189 in Russia will create large opportunities for the continuation of our successful cooperation with our Italian partners – Finmeccanica-AgustaWestland,” said Sergey Chemezov, CEO of Rostec Corporation. “The project will be implemented on the basis of an exclusive license agreement, which gives HeliVert the right to produce such helicopters, their distribution in Russia and the CIS. The participation of the leader of the Russian oil industry, Rosneft, in our project can give a new boost to the development of the joint venture and production expansion.”

Rosneft will will become the launch customer for the Russian built AW189, with HeliVert aiming to sell and deliver up to 160 helicopters to the integrated oil company.

As well as the AW189 production line, the joint venture will cater for spares, servicing and training for the AW189.

“Offshore projects development is a strategic priority for Rosneft,” said Rosneft Head Igor Sechin. “It is impossible to accomplish this mission without state-of-the-art arctic and marine equipment, oil and gas rigs, modern aeronautical engineering. We are glad to reach these agreements, thanks to which strategic cooperation in such an important area is being created.”